Indonesian seafarers face tough 2013

Jakarta: The national seafarers’ union has urged the government to improve its members’ welfare as well as introducing a minimum wage in 2013. “The government does not care about the fate of its seafarers,” said Hanafi Rustandi, the president of the trade union, in Jakarta on Sunday.

Indonesia urgently needs to ratify a series of bills if it is to be ready in time for the Maritime Labour Convention which comes into force next year. If not, the country’s seafarers will not be allowed to work onboard international ships. [17/12/12]